Disposable slipper

ABSTRACT

A disposable slipper and associated method are provided. The slipper is structured to be adhered to a human foot to protect the foot, for example, during salon and spa procedures such as pedicures. The slipper includes a flexible base layer with a peripheral edge that generally defines an outline of a human foot. A releasable hypoallergenic adhesive is disposed on a first side of the base layer so that the slipper can be adhered to a bottom of the foot. A second side of the base layer, opposite the first side, is directed away from the foot and defines a sole of the slipper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to beauty and/or spa products and, in particular, to a disposable slipper that can be worn, for example, in conjunction with a beauty procedure, such as a pedicure.

2) Description of Related Art

A pedicure is a typical spa or salon procedure in which the skin on a patron's feet is treated with various moisturizing and exfoliating procedures, often followed by a massage. Typically, the final step in a pedicure is to paint the toenails of the patron's feet with nail polish or lacquer. Often the patron is provided with a pair of disposable foam pedicure slippers, or flip-flops, to wear until the nail polish dries. Each slipper typically has a foam sole and one or more straps that hold the slipper onto the foot. The straps can have various configurations. For example, a strap formed of a single strip of material can be attached to the left and right side of the slipper so that the strap forms a loop that extends above the slipper and across the width of the slipper. The toes of the patron's foot can be inserted through the loop so that the strap holds the foot between the strap and the sole. Alternatively, two foam straps can form loops that extend upward from the top of the sole at a position between the patron's toes to a respective side of the slipper. Such slippers are inexpensive and can therefore be used once and then discarded.

One problem with existing disposable slippers is that the footwear is often offered in only one size for all patrons and therefore rarely provides an exact fit. The slippers can shift around on the patron's feet, particularly when the patron walks, sometimes causing the straps to touch the wet toenail polish, possibly smudging the polish and requiring repainting. In addition, walking in foam pedicure slippers can be uncomfortable to the patron, especially if the size of the slippers does not closely match the size of the patron's feet.

Thus, there exists a need for improved footwear for use in conjunction with salon and spa procedures such as pedicures. The footwear should not interfere with wet polish that is on the patron's toenails. Preferably, the footwear should be comfortable, even when the patron walks. Further, the footwear should not be expensive to manufacture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a disposable slipper for adhering to a human foot and protecting the foot. The slipper includes a flexible base layer that can be formed of foam rubber, foam polymers, and the like. The base layer has first and second opposite sides and a peripheral edge that generally defines an outline of a human foot. A releasable hypoallergenic adhesive is disposed on the first side of the base layer so that the adhesive can be used to adhere the slipper to a bottom of the foot with the second side of the base layer defining a sole directed away from the foot. A releasable backing layer can be disposed on the adhesive opposite the base layer and structured to be removed from the adhesive so that the backing layer covers the adhesive until the slipper is worn. Slippers according to the present invention can be provided in pairs, each one corresponding to the shape of a right or left foot, respectively.

The present invention also provides a method of making and using a slipper for protecting a foot. The method includes forming a flexible base layer with a peripheral edge that generally defines an outline of a foot. An adhesive is disposed on the first side of the base layer, which is structured to be pressed against the bottom of the foot so that the slipper is adhered to the foot. A releasable backing layer can be disposed on the adhesive opposite the base layer. The backing layer is structured to be removed before the slipper is worn.

The slipper according to the present invention can be used in conjunction with salon and spa procedures such as pedicures. Polish can be applied on toenails of the foot so that the slipper protects the foot while the polish is wet. Thereafter, the base layer is peeled from the foot. The slipper adheres to the bottom of the user's foot and does not interfere with wet polish that is on the user's toenails. Thus, the slipper provides footwear that can be worn during or after the user's toenails are painted. Further, the footwear is comfortable, even when the patron walks, and is inexpensive to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readily apparent upon consideration of the following detail description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments and which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pair of slippers according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a section view in elevation illustrating one of the slippers of FIG. 1, shown with a releasable backing layer disposed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to the figures and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is shown a pair of slippers 10, each slipper of the pair being individually and collectively referred to herein by the reference numeral 10. The slippers 10 can be worn by a user during a variety of activities including beauty procedures such as a pedicure at a salon or spa. The slippers 10 can similarly be worn for other purposes, for example, to protect the user's feet in public or in shared bathing facilities, hospitals, and the like.

The slippers 10 are foot-shaped, i.e., are formed so that the peripheral edge 12 of each slipper 10 corresponds generally to the outline of a human foot. In particular, each slipper 10 extends between a heel portion 14 and a toe portion 16, and the width of each slipper 10 can vary therebetween according to the typical shape of a foot. Each pair of slippers 10 includes a left slipper 10 a and a right slipper 10 b that correspond to the respective feet of a user, such as a patron of a beauty salon or spa. The slippers 10 can define a variety of shapes other than that shown in FIG. 1. For example, the toe portion 16 of each slipper 10 can define five elongate portions (not shown) that extend individually from the respective slipper 10 corresponding to the individual toes of the user. Further, the slippers 10 can be manufactured in one or more sizes that correspond approximately to the size of the feet of the users.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a slipper according to the present invention, such as either of the slippers 10 a, 10 b of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, each slipper 10 is formed of a base layer 18 with an adhesive 20 at least partially disposed thereon. The base layer 18 can be formed of any flexible material that bends to the shape of the bottom of the user's foot and flexes with the user's foot as the user walks. For example, the base layer 18 can be formed of foam rubber, foam polymers, and the like. In particular, the base layer 18 can be a foam formed of blown polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or other blown polymers.

Each base layer 18 defines first and second sides 22, 24. The adhesive 20, which is at least partially disposed on the first side 22 of each base layer 18, adheres each slipper 10 to one of the feet of the user so that the second side 24 of the slipper 10 is directed away from the foot and defines a sole that contacts a floor surface when the user stands or walks, thereby protecting the user's foot. Thus, the slipper 10 provides a barrier or protective shield between the user's foot and the floor surface. By preventing contact between the user's foot and the floor surface, the slipper 10 helps to prevent the transfer of debris, germs, water, or other substances between the floor surface and the user's foot, thereby keeping the user's foot clean. Further, the base layer 18 can provide padding that increases the comfort of the user's feet when standing or walking in the slippers 10. The base layer 18 can have any desired thickness, but preferably has a thickness of between about 0.05 inch and about 1 inch.

The adhesive 20 can be disposed on the entire area of the first side 22 of each base layer 18 or on only part of the first side 22 of each base layer 18. For example, the adhesive 20 can be disposed randomly or in a predetermined pattern of lines, dots, or other shapes. In one embodiment (not shown), the adhesive 20 is disposed generally where the first side 22 of the base layer 18 will contact the foot of the user, i.e., where the first side 22 would contact the heel, ball, and toes of the foot but not where the first side 22 would be directed toward the arch of the foot. The adhesive 20 provides sufficient adhesion between the slipper 10 and the foot to hold the slipper 10 against the foot.

Straps are not required for retaining the slippers 10 on the feet, and the lack of straps reduces the likelihood that the slippers 10 will interfere with the tops of the user's feet. Thus, the slippers 10 can be worn during or after a pedicure in which the user's toenails are painted and pose little risk of smudging or otherwise interfering with the wet paint on the user's toenails.

Preferably, the adhesive 20 is hypoallergenic, i.e., is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in the user. Such adhesives include Avery Dennison™ MED8311 and 3M™, 1772, each available from the respective manufacture. The adhesive 20 can be provided as a fluid adhesive or an adhesive film. The adhesive 20 preferably provides a sufficiently strong bond between the slipper 10 and the foot so that the user can walk without the slipper 10 becoming detached. However, the bond between the adhesive 20 and the user's foot is not so strong that the user cannot overcome the bond to remove the slipper 10 from the foot. For example, the user should be able to grasp an edge of the slipper 10 and peel the slipper 10 from the foot. In some embodiments, the adhesive 20 can be sensitive to and activated by pressure and/or heat so that the weight of the user's body and/or the thermal energy from the user's foot causes the adhesive to bond the slipper 10 thereto. In addition, the adhesive can include a moisturizer, fragrance, antibacterial substance, or other substances for increasing the comfort, aesthetic appeal, or hygienic properties of the slipper 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a releasable backing layer 28 can be disposed on the adhesive 20 of the slipper 10 opposite the base layer 18 so that the adhesive 20 is shielded from the ambient environment by the releasable backing layer 28 until the backing layer 28 is removed and the slipper 10 is worn. The releasable backing layer 28 can be a laminar film formed of a polymer such as polyethylene (PE) or polyester (PET). Alternatively, the backing layer 28 can be a paper layer. In any case, the backing layer 28 can be coated with a release material, such as silicone, to facilitate the removal of the backing layer 28 from the adhesive 20.

The base layer 18, adhesive 20, and backing layer 28 can be obtained as a pre-manufactured product such as 3M™ White {fraction (1/16)} inch Polyethylene Foam Tape 1772, 83# Liner.

The operations for making and using a temporary-use, disposable slipper according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described. It is understood that one or more of the operations can be omitted and additional operations can be included without departing from the scope of the present invention. The flexible base layer 18 is provided, and the adhesive 20 is disposed on the first side 22 of the base layer 18. For example, the adhesive 20 can be disposed by rolling, brushing, or spraying the adhesive 20 onto the base layer 18, which can be foam rubber or blown polymer. The adhesive 20 and/or the base layer 18 can be electrostatically charged so that the adhesive is deposited evenly on the base layer 18. Alternatively, the adhesive 20 can be disposed as a film onto the base layer 18. The releasable backing layer 28 can be disposed over the adhesive 20, opposite the base layer 18. The sheet of the base layer 18 is then cut into one or more foot-shaped portions, for example, using a die. Alternatively, the foot-shaped portions can be cut before the adhesive is applied. In some embodiments, a single shape that is cut from the base layer 18 can be used to form either of the left or right slipper 10, depending on the side 22, 24 to which the adhesive 20 is applied. The slippers 10 can then be packaged in pairs in a container such as a paper or plastic bag or the like for use in a salon or spa in conjunction with pedicure procedures. In another embodiment, the user of the slipper 10 or an employee of the salon where the slippers 10 are used could cut or otherwise shape the slipper 10 after removing the slipper 10 from its package.

In use, the releasable backing layer 28 is peeled from the adhesive 20, exposing the adhesive 20 as shown in FIG. 1, and the adhesive 20 and first side 22 of the base layer 18 are pressed against the bottom of the foot so that the base layer 18 is adhered thereto. Polish, i.e., paint or other lacquer, can be applied on the toenails of the foot before or after the slipper 10 is adhered so that the slipper 10 provides a protective barrier to the bottom of the foot while the polish is wet. When the polish is dry, the slipper 10 can then be peeled from the foot and discarded.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A disposable slipper structured to be adhered to the bottom of a human foot so that the slipper protects the foot, the slipper comprising: a flexible base layer having first and second sides and a peripheral edge generally defining an outline of a human foot; and a releasable hypoallergenic adhesive at least partially disposed on the first side of said base layer and structured to adhere the slipper to the bottom of the foot such that the second side of said base layer is directed away from the foot thereby protecting the foot.
 2. A slipper according to claim 1 wherein said base layer is formed of foam.
 3. A slipper according to claim 1 wherein said base layer is formed of at least one of the group consisting of foam rubber and a blown polymer.
 4. A slipper according to claim 1 further comprising a releasable backing layer disposed on said adhesive opposite said base layer and structured to be removed from said adhesive so that said adhesive and said base layer can be adhered to the foot.
 5. A slipper according to claim 4 wherein said backing layer is formed of paper with a release coating.
 6. A slipper according to claim 1 wherein said base layer has a thickness of between about 0.1 inch and about 1 inch.
 7. A pair of disposable slippers for adhering to a pair of left and right human feet and protecting the feet during a beauty procedure, each slipper of the pair comprising: a flexible base layer having first and second sides, said base layer having a peripheral edge that defines an outline generally corresponding to a respective one of the left and right human feet; a releasable hypoallergenic adhesive disposed on the first side of said base layer and structured to adhere the corresponding slipper to the bottom of the respective foot such that the second side of said base layer is directed away from the respective foot thereby protecting the foot; and a releasable backing layer disposed on said adhesive opposite said base layer, said releasable backing layer being structured to be removed from said adhesive so that said adhesive and said base layer can be adhered to the respective foot.
 8. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said base layers is formed of foam.
 9. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said base layers is formed of at least one of the group consisting of foam rubber and a blown polymer.
 10. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said base layers has a thickness of between about 0.1 inch and about 1 inch.
 11. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said backing layers is formed of paper with a release coating.
 12. A method of making a slipper for protecting a foot, the method comprising: forming a flexible base layer having first and second opposite sides and a peripheral edge generally defining an outline of the foot; and disposing an adhesive on the first side of the base layer.
 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said forming step comprises forming the base layer of foam.
 14. A method according to claim 12 wherein said forming step comprises forming the base layer of at least one of the group consisting of foam rubber and a blown polymer.
 15. A method according to claim 12 wherein said forming step comprises forming a pair of the slippers, the pair including left and right slippers having peripheral edges that correspond to left and right human feet, respectively.
 16. A method according to claim 12 further comprising disposing a releasable backing layer on the adhesive opposite the base layer.
 17. A method according to claim 16 further comprising providing the releasable backing layer by disposing a release coating on a paper layer.
 18. A method according to claim 12 further comprising packaging at least two of the slippers in a container.
 19. A method of using a slipper having a flexible base layer with an adhesive on a first side thereof for protecting a foot, the method comprising: pressing the first side of the base layer against a bottom of the foot and thereby adhering the base layer to the foot; and peeling the base layer from the foot.
 20. A method according to claim 19 further comprising removing a releasable backing layer from the slipper before said pressing step.
 21. A method according to claim 19 further comprising applying polish on toenails of the foot before said peeling step such that the polish is wet at least partially while the slipper is adhered to the foot. 